Glossary of terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Anal Sphincter

Two rings of muscles surrounding the rectum and anus which help to control passage of bowel movements.

Anus

Muscular opening at the end of the rectum is the outlet for solid waste.

Autonomic Nervous System

The nervous system that begins in the subcortical portion of the brain and the gut and automatically maintains the health of internal organs, smooth and striated muscle resting tone.

B

Behavior Therapy

Treatment involving conditioning.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Condition characterized by growth of a benign tumor inside the prostate, often resulting in voiding difficulties. Also known as benigh prostate hypertrophy.

Benign Tumor

Noncancerous tissue growth that cannot spread to other areas of the body.

Biopsy

Diagnostic procedure of surgically removing a tissue sample from the body and analyzing it microscopically for abnormal tissue growth.

Bladder

Muscular organ located inside the pelvis for temporary storage of urine. Also called the detrusor muscle.

Blood Count

Test used to determine the number and ratio of red and white blood cells and platelets in an individual’s blood. Abnormal numbers can indicate infection, anemia, or cancer.

Blood Pressure

The force of the blood traveling out of the heart and down the arteries of the body.

Blood Tests

Samples of individual’s blood that can include a blood count, sedimentation rate, glucose level, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and special tests for prostate cancer (PSA and PAP tests).

Bulbocavernous Muscle

One of three muscles of the urogenital diaphragm.

C

Cancer

Disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and spread of cells to other parts of the body. Cell growth can crowd out or interfere with normal cell function causing organ dysfunction and death of healthy cells.

Castration

Removal of testes or elimination of testicular funcion with antiandrogen drugs.

Catheter

Flexible tube inserted into a body part such as the urethra (in male or female) to empty the bladder of urine.

Cervix

Lower protion of the uterus that connects with the vagina.

Chemotherapy

Cancer treatment using potent drugs that attack and destroy tissue cells and interfere with the cells multiplying. These drugs are either injected or taken orally.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Persistent pain of unexplained nature in the lower abdominal and pelvic area that is six months or longer in duration and effects physical activity, work, family and social life in a negative way.

Clitoris

Organ of female orgasm.

Collagen

Chemical substance injected into the internal urinary sphincter region to treat incontinence.

Colon

Lower portion of large intestine leading to the rectum.
Computerized Tomography (CT scan) A computer-enhanced x-ray technique used to examine soft body tissue.

Congestion

Buidup of fluid in an area of the body that often causes pain, i.e. prostate congestion.

Constipation

Hard, dry, and firm bowel movements that are difficult to pass and less frequent than normal.

Contraindication

Side effects of a medical treatment which would indicate the treatment is more hamful than the intended benefits.

Cryosurgery

Surgery that utilizes extreme cold to destroy undesired tissue.

Cystogram

Tube with light and a viewing lens at the end, which is inserted into the urethra to examine the urethra, bladder, and prostate gland.

Cystoscopy

Diagnostic procedure for urological examination allowing viewing inside the urethra and bladder.

D

Diagnosis

Determination through observation or scientific tests of the existence of symptoms of medical disorders.

Diuretic

Any drug, food, or beverage that promotes increased urine excretion.

E

Encopresis

Uncontrolled passage of a bowel movement or smears of fecal material into underwear or inappropriate places by an individual over the age of four.

Enterocele

A bulging of the pouch of Douglas into the posterior vaginal wall.

Enuresis

Involuntary loss of urine, during sleep termed nocturnal enuresis.

Episiotomy

Surgical incision into the perineum between the vagina and anus to ease childbirth through the vagina.

Estrogen

Hormone contributing to female sex characteristics, produced in female ovaries and male testicles, in adrenal glands, and fat.

F

Fibromyalgia

A chronic painful condition of soft tissue of the body with associated symptoms of tender points, sleep disruption, and hypersensitivity to sensory input. Soft tissue includes muscle, tendon, ligament and fascia.

Functional Incontinence

Physical disability or mental confusion leading to inability to void in an appropriate place.

G

Gastroenterologist

A medical physician who specializes in the health and dysfunction of the intestines and bowel.

H

Hypoglycemia

Lower than normal blood sugar in the blood stream.

Hormone

Chemical substances made in endocrine glands and essential for human biological processes.

Hormonal Therapy

Treatment based on administering hormone or chemical substances that block the action of other hormones. Hormonal therapy blocks action of male hormones that promote tumor growth.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus.

I

Iliococcygeus

Muscle One of the muscles forming the pelvic diaphragm/levator ani muscle group.

Impotence

Inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection of sufficient duration.

Incontinence

Uncontrolled loss of urine.

Interstitial Cystitis

Symptoms of lower abdominal pain, urinary frequency and urgency, and discomfort with urination as the result of bladder dysfunction.

Introitus

The external vaginal opening.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Alternating constipation and diarrhea with abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea.

Ischiocavernous

Muscle One of three muscles forming the urogenital diaphragm.

J

K

Kegel Exercises

Pelvic muscle exercise to decrease or eliminate incontinence.

Kidneys

Two glandular organs that separate waste products from the blood.

L

M

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Diagnostic technique using an electromagnetic field and computer analysis, which effectively evaluates soft body tissue, such as the prostate and bladder .

Menopause

Cessation of menstuation, usually occurs in the late 40’s or early 50’s.

Myofascial Pain

Syndrome a chronic localized pain condition of soft tissue with associated trigger points which refer pain to other areas of the body.

N

Neurally Mediated Hypotension

Low blood pressure, high resting heart rate and associated symptoms of pelvic pain and fatigue.

O

Obstetrician- Gynecologist

A medical physician specializing in female reproductive health and dysfunction.

Orchiectomy

Surgical removal of testicles.

Overflow Incontinence

Temporary inability to void, followed by uncontrollable urine flow, associated with over-distension of the bladder.

P

Pelvic Diaphragm

The levatgor ani muscle group, the pelvic floor.

Pelvic Muscles

General term referring to the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm and external sphincters. Sometimes referred to as the pelvic floor.

Pelvic Muscle Myalgia Syndromes

Pelvic pain related to the muscles of the pelvic floor; including subcategories of levator ani syndrom, piriformis syndrome, coccygodynia, vaginisimus, dyspareunia, proctalgia fugax, vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, and pudendal neuralgia.

Pelvic Muscle Relaxation Syndromes

Pelvic and low back pain in relation to cystocele, urethrocele, enterocele, rectocele, vaginal prolapse, and uterine prolapse.

Pelvic Rotator Cuff

Muscles A group of muscles that work as a unit to support the bladder, uterus, and bowel, maintain back alignment, and provide dynamic stability for balance and ambulation. They include the obturator internus, pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm, external sphincters, and adductor muscles.

Penis

The male organ used for urination.

Perineum/ Perineal

Muscles Area of muscle and tissue between the vagina or scrotum and anus.

Physiological Quieting

Autonomic nervous system training to regain body systems in balance and maintain homeostasis.

Prostate

Firm, muscular gland that surrounds the urethra in males.

Prostatectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland.

Prostati

tis Infection of the prostate which can be acute or chronic.

Pubic Bone

Lower front part of the pelvis.

Pubococcygeal Muscle

One of three muscles forming the pelvic diaphragm/levator ani muscle group.

Pudendal Nerve

Innervates the external urethral and anal sphincters and the pelvic and urogenital diaphragm muscles; it is part of the voluntary nervous system.

Q

R

Radiation Therapy

X-ray or other high-energy radiation treatment to destroy malignant, cancerous tissue.

Radical Prostatectomy

Complete removal of the prostate gland, often used to treat prostate cancer.

Raynaud’s Phenomena

Cold hands and/or feet with tri color changes of the digits from pink to white to blue, the result of capillary constriction.

Rectocele

A bulging of the rectum into the posterior vaginal wall.

Rectum

Final several inches of the intestines below the colon and above the anus.

Reflex Incontinence

Loss of urine due to hyperactivitiy of the bladder muscle and /or involuntary urethral relaxation in the absence of the sensation associated with the desire to urinate. This occurs in neurogenic disorders.

Rheumatologist

A medical physician who specializes in painful conditions affecting joints, connective tissue, fascia, muscles and tendons of the body.

S

Sphincter

Circular muscle that tightens and relaxes to control the flow of urine from the urethra. There are internal and external urethral and anal sphincters.

Stress Incontinence

Loss of small amounts of urine with increased intr-abdominal pressure during coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running.

T

Testicles

Two glands that produce sperm and sex hormones including testosterone in males (testes).

Tender Points

Localized areas that are painful when pressure is applied.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone that is responsible for male sexual characteristics.

Trigger Points

Localized areas that are painful and refer pain to distal sites when pressure is applied.

Trigone

Base of the bladder,near the bladder neck where ureters enter, it is the most sensitive area of the bladder.

Tumor

Body mass caused by abnormal cell growth.

U

Ultrasound

High-frquency sound waves used for medical diagnosis and treatment. An ultrasound scan (sonogram) is sound waves reflected off internal organs to produce computer-enhanced pictures of the bladder, prostate, and urethra.

Urethra

Tube connecting the bladder to the outside through which urine is released.

Urethrocele

Bulging of the urethra into the vaginal wall.

Urge Incontinence

Sudden leaking of relatively larg amounts of urine when the bladder muscle contracts, over-coming the contractions of the pelvic and urogenital diaphragm and sphincter muscles.

Urinalysis

Tests on urine to diagnose diseases and infections.

Urinary Retention

Quantities of urine backing up in the bladder which can cause bladder and kidney damage.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Inflammation or infection in the bladder.

Urogenital Diaphragm

Muscle that form the platform for the clitoris; the vagina and urethra pass through it.

Urologist

Physician specializing in disorders of the urinary system.

Urology

Specialty area of medicine dealing with the disorder of the urinary system.

Urological Pain Syndromes

Pain and dysfunction of the bladder and urethra with subcategories of urethral syndrome, trigonitis, bladder-sphicnter dysenergia, interstitial cystitis, and prostatitis.

Uterine Prolapse

Descent of the uterus into the vaginal canal.

Uterus

Muscular hollow organ that houses the fetus during pregnancy.

V

Vagina

Elastic canal extending from the uterine cervix to the outside. Vaginal walls usually touch but can greatly expand, such as during childbirth.

Voluntary Nervous System

The nervous system that directs movements of the body through the cortex portion of the brain.

W

X

X-rays

Subatomic high energy particle of short wave length that penetrate body tissues to produce photographic images for diagnostic purposes.